Palisadian TV Writer Runs for Senate

Palisadian, TV writer and senatorial candidate Patric Verrone has thought a lot about the future. 

For 15 years, Verrone has written for the animated TV series “Fururama” — a show set in the future that takes a satirical, often political, stab at the real world (More on that in a bit).

The raucous writer is in the run for District 26, which encompasses the area from Hollywood to Pacific Palisades, curving down to Rancho Palos Verdes and includes the Santa Catalina and San Clemente islands.

He’s looking to replace Sen. Ted Lieu, who will be vacating the chair in his run for Rep. Henry Waxman’s 33rd Congressional District seat.

Verrone is up against Ben Allen, Santa Monica school board member; attorney Barbi Appelquist; Betsy Butler, former state assemblymember; attorney Sanrda Fluke; Manhattan Beach Mayor Amy Howorth; Vito Imbasciani, California Army National Guard state surgeon; John Mirisch, former Mayor of Beverly Hills and law professor Seth Stodder, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar’s list of certified candidates.

Verrone, a Democrat, has lived in Pacific Palisades for some 23 years. His kids, Patric, 18, Marianne, 16, and Teddy, 13, attended Corpus Christi School before moving on to Harvard-Westlake. His wife, Maiya Williams, is a young adult novelist who recently published her fifth book, “Middle School Cool.”

The former Writers Guild of America president and current board member has made a living out of writing for Johnny Carson’s “The Tonight Show,” “The Muppets” and “Futurama,” the latter encompassing most of his career.

“I can probably say I’m the only writer — other than creators David Cohen and Matt Groenig — that worked on every single episode of the Fox Series and the Comedy Central run [of ‘Futurama’],” Verrone said.

It’s his qualifications as a Writer’s Guild union leader, as a small businessperson and as somebody who understands the changing nature of the way government operates that qualifies him for the position, Verrone said.

“I have some expertise,” Verrone said. “I did study American History at Harvard. I have a law degree from Boston College.”

Verrone also points to his history with the district.

“One of my strengths is having lived here for almost three decades, being an observer of what’s happening,” Verrone said.

“As somebody who thinks a lot about the future and has written a lot about the future, I have some long-term vision that I may be able to bring to the table,” he added.

Verrone is committed to making the film and TV industry part of Southern California’s future.

“Hollywood is our number-one export — or at least it’s the one we like to advertise as being the number-one export — in America,” Verrone said. “It should have a voice in Sacramento. It should be protected and kept in SoCal, where it’s been for 100 years.”

Verrone added, “This industry is sometimes its own worst enemy in terms of being able to see clearly into the future.”